Charlie Strong Reportedly Joining Alabama as Defensive Analyst
By Will Coleman
Alabama head coach Nick Saban has always carried a reputation as one of the best recruiters in college football, but sometimes that can mean more than bringing in incoming athletes.
Saban has a history of building his coaching staffs on experience and merit, surrounding himself with former head coaches who have had success at all levels. The Crimson Tide's latest addition to its staff, Charlie Strong, fits that profile.
Nobody has had more success bringing in former head coaches than Nick Saban, and he’s tapping back into that market with Charlie Strong, who has agreed to join the @AlabamaFTBL staff as a defensive analyst, sources tell ESPN. Strong had several opportunities to join SEC staffs.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 18, 2020
Strong, a former head coach for Louisville, Texas and South Florida, drew interest from several SEC schools but will reportedly join Alabama's staff as a defensive analyst. In his ten full seasons as a head coach, Strong's teams went 74-52, including a 4-3 mark in bowl appearances.
With his early coaching experience coming as a coordinator and positions coach in the college ranks, Strong will be leaned on heavily for Alabama's defensive game-planning.
Sources: Charlie Strong is expected to return to Tuscaloosa this week, possibly as soon as tomorrow.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 18, 2020
Sounds like things continue to move toward him joining the Alabama staff in a support staff capacity.https://t.co/yN7YZlPTVA
Saban will have holes to fill in his coaching staff each offseason but its not something he'll ever have to worry about. There's always a handful of guys out there like Strong who are looking for a bridge opportunity to their next head coaching gig, it's just a matter of which ones are a fit for Saban and Alabama.